The Italian Way is a family owned restaurant at 157 Cowbridge Road East in Cardiff’s Riverside area. Established in 1985, it offers an intimate neighbourhood setting for freshly prepared Italian food at lunch and dinner.
Antipasti can be shared at the start of a meal, followed by pasta in a range of classic sauces. Calzone and pizza add familiar alternatives, with the kitchen keeping the flavours recognisably Italian rather than stretching into unrelated styles.
Meat, seafood and vegetarian choices broaden the main courses beyond pasta and pizza. Gluten free options are available, and the compact dining room lends itself naturally to date nights, family meals and small celebrations.
Wine and beer accompany the food, while traditional desserts provide a relaxed final course. The combination of long local history, personal service and a focused menu has helped the restaurant remain part of the Cowbridge Road dining scene.
Address: 157 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AH, Wales
The Italian Way Menu
Starters
Homemade Minestroni soup of the day
Funghi Alla Crema (V)
Mushroom, garlic, wine and cream
Cocktail Di Gamberetti
Prawn Cocktail
Caprese (V)
Mozzarella and tomato salad
Crostino
Garlic bread, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and anchovies
Polpette Cosanostra
Meatballs Italian style
Parma Ham, Mozzarella and tomatoes
Antipasto Misto Italiano
Gamberoni All' Aglio
King prawns in garlic sauce
Bianchetti Fritti
Whitebait served with homemade tartare sauce
Calamari Fritti
Fried squid
Bruschetta (V)
Garlic ciabatta bread, topped with garlic, tomatoes, fresh onions, basil and olive oil
Cozze Italian Way
Mussels in a garlic, white wine and tomato sauce served with warm ciabatta
Side Orders
Bread, olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Marinated olives
Garlic bread
Garlic bread with mozzarella
Focaccia
Plain bread
Dressed salad
Spinaci
Patatine fritte
Chips
Italian style crispy thin base pizzas
Choose your toppings: Extra cheese, anchovies, mushrooms, pineapple, artichokes, garlic, peppers, onions, tuna, sweetcorn, olives, pepper sausage, ham, bacon, salami, spinach, capers or egg, parma ham (£3.50), mixed seafood (£3.50). Price per topping: Standard £1.50, Large £1.75.
Basic pizza with tomato and mozzarella cheese (V)
Calzone (Folded pizzas)
Calzone spinaci (V)
Calzone mushroom and ham
Calzone meatballs and mushrooms
Calzone mushroom and bolognese
Calzone piccantino
Pepper sausage, mushroom and peppers
Calzone acro dolce (V)
Pineapple, sweetcorn and peppers
Pasta
Gluten free pasta available
Canelloni spinach (v)
Lasagne
Penne algalletto
Pieces of chicken, white wine and cream
Penne alla Lena
Pieces of lamb cooked in wine, garlic and tomato sauce
Penne al salmone
Smoked salmon with cream and mushroom sauce
Penne amatriciana
Bacon, onions, chilli and tomato sauce
Penne diavola (V)
Hot spicy tomato and mushroom sauce
Linguini all' aglio (V)
Olive oil, garlic, chilli and mushrooms
Linguini napoletana (V)
Linguini carbonara
Bacon, egg, black pepper and cream
Linguini bolognese
Linguini marinara
Seafood in a tomato sauce
Tagliatelle Alfredo
Ham, mushroom and cream
Tagliatelle Boscaiola
Ham, mushroom and tomato sauce
Tagliatelle Meatballs
Homemade meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce
Tagliatelle Aquilano
Chicken pieces with mushroom and chilli in a tomato sauce
Dolci della Casa/Desserts
Home-made Baileys Tiramisu
Home-made Crème Caramel with a hint of lemon
Home-made Limoncello Cheesecake topped with homemade lemon curd,blueberries
Cannoli Siciliani pastry cone fille with a sweet creamy ricotta served with berry coulis
Home-made Chocolate Bread Pudding served with maraschino cherries
Home-made Pannacotta with a hint of orange 6 vodka served with balsamic berries
Affogato – vanilla ice-cream topped with hot espresso coffee & Amaretto crumbs
Real Italian ice creams (2 scoops)
Vaniglia/Vanilla, Cioccolato/Choccolate, Fragola/Strawberry, Nocciola/Hazelnut, Amarenata/Cherry, Pistacchio, Limone
Gluten & Dairy free Vanilla Cheesecake (order in advance)
Dairy free ice-creame (made from soya)
Ravioli (Filled with spinach and ricotta cheese)
Ravioli Funghi Alla Crema (V)
Mushrooms in cream sauce
Ravioli bolognese
Ravioli Al Pesto (V)
Basil sauce. Contains nuts
Ravioli Abbruzzese
Lamb ragout
Chicken
All chicken dishes are served with sautéed potatoes or chips and the vegetable of the day
Chicken mushrooms and cream
Mushrooms, cream and white wine
Chicken Piccante
Spicy tomato sauce with mushrooms and white wine
Chicken don Alfonso
Topped with ham and mozzarella in tomato sauce
Coffee and tea
Cappuccino
Espresso
Latte
Coffee Cream
Tea
Fruit & Green Teas
Hot chocolate
Liqueur coffees
Choose from Bailey’s, Cointreau, Tia Maria, Brandy, Whisky, Strega, Galliano, Sambuca or Grappa